London Sexual Health Programme (LSHP)

Planning After Pregnancy #PlanAfter

Planning after pregnancy (#PlanAfter)

About this work

Across London, access to support and information about contraception after pregnancy is not consistent. Many people leave services without the information or support they need to plan what happens next.

#PlanAfter is a London‑wide initiative bringing together partners across health and community settings to improve how services support people after pregnancy — whether after birth, abortion, miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

Our aim is simple:
to make it easier for people to access timely, appropriate contraception and make informed choices about their reproductive health

Why this matters

Post‑pregnancy contraception is a key part of:

  • reproductive autonomy

  • maternal health and wellbeing

  • reducing inequalities in access and outcomes

We know:

  • support and conversations do not always happen at the right time

  • access to services can feel unclear or difficult to navigate

  • experiences vary significantly across London

Listening to people’s experiences is essential to improving this.

Fertility after pregnancy:

As part of this work, we are helping raise awareness of a key message:
Fertility can return as soon as 21 days after birth, and immediately after miscarriage or abortion.

This means it’s important that people have access to timely information and support, whatever their situation, so they can make informed choices at the right time for them.

🔗 Learn more at #day21

Have your say

We are working with trusted community and voluntary sector partners to understand people’s experiences of planning after pregnancy.

You don’t need to share your whole story — we’re interested in simple reflections, for example:

  • something you wish you’d known

  • what helped you

  • what made things harder

To share your experience please email planafter@cityoflondon.gov.uk  

This isn't a way to get urgent help or clinical advice - if you need support now, please speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor. In an emergency, call 999.

All responses will be:

  • anonymised

  • reviewed and stored securely

  • used to identify common themes (not individual cases)

We won't identify you in anything we publish, and you can ask us to delete your message at any time. Please read our privacy notice here.

What we’re doing with what we hear

The insight gathered through #PlanAfter is used to:

  • inform pathway design across London

  • support commissioning and funding decisions

  • improve access, experience and outcomes for others

We will publish regular updates on how insight is shaping services, what we’ve changed as a result and what we’ve learned.

Working together

This work is:

  • partner‑led, working through voluntary and community organisations

  • supported by clinicians, commissioners and system leaders

  • part of the wider Pan London HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health Strategy development

Find out more / get involved

  • If you are an organisation interested in supporting this work, please contact:

planafter@cityoflondon.gov.uk  

Further information and support

If you would like to find out more about your contraception options or access support, the following resources may be helpful: